Comic Vine Review

11 Comments

Thief of Thieves #1

3

What happens when you bring Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer together on an Image book? You get an interesting idea that unfortunately doesn't start off with the bang you'd hope for.

Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer. To hear that both of them are working on the same title is more than enough of a reason to buy this book. But there seems to be something missing.

The Good

I'm a sucker for a new book/idea. While I have deep respect for titles with characters that have decades and decades of history, it's always great to pick up something completely new. After deciding that I was already sold on this title, I then took the time to read what the series would be about. The solicit mentions the main character is a former master thief that decided to leave that life behind. Now he's leading a double life trying to get away from it all.

What we get is a look back at this thief, known as Redmond. We see him go on a heist and the meeting and training of an apprentice. With the story by Kirkman, it's Nick Spencer that does the writing. The dialogue feels natural and not forced, something we often see in comics not crammed full of non-stop action.

The art by Shawn Martinbrough creates a good vibe for this new world. It's always great to see an artist that can draw details in the background such as cars that aren't generic boxes.

We get a good look into the life of Redmond and the issue ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. You'll want to come back to see what the reaction is.

The Bad

It's odd that the solicit reveals so much information about Redmond and the series but there's very little of that actually here. It says that Redmond has a son he barely knows and an ex-wife, neither which are here. The FBI are on his trail? Really?

The solicit seems more focused on the overall start of the series and directed at this specific issue. It does sound intriguing but unfortunately this issue doesn't quite capture everything we will be seeing. As a first issue, it's unclear whether there's really enough to warrant a pick up of the second issue. It's only because of Kirkman and Spencer that I will return to see how the story continues and develops.

The Verdict

I really wanted to like this issue. With Kirkman and Spencer on board, we can only expect great things. The first issue doesn't quite showcase what we can expect. It is well written and there is some interesting developments but what we get doesn't match what the issue's solicit tells us will happen. For a first issue, the right balance has to be present that introduces the concept while grabbing and pulling in the new reader. This issue doesn't quite grab you with a firm hand. It's only because Kirkman and Spencer are attached that I will check out the next issue. Hopefully that will be the one to win me over and have me praise this new series out on the streets.